How many of you or your partners have tattoos? Is it part of British culture to have one?

[MarjorieDoors]

It seems to be very much a part of British culture to have one (now idea why).

Anyway, a few weeks ago DH and I went to Spain and the hotel we stayed in was catering for mainly British holidaymakers. One thing DH and I noticed was the majority of holidaymakers had at least one tatoo although most had more than one - and I am talking male and females here. Didn't notice any of the Spanish with tattoos.

DH and I were in the select few that didn't have one and I am just trying to understand what is the attraction is with them?

I'd have one but am scared of the pain!

Dh doesn't like them.

Disagree about looking awful when you get old- when i worked in the nursing home used to see poeple with tattoo's and think good- they ahd a life! (mostof them being pretty far gone when I met them).

Oh Psychology Professor at Uni is covered in them and specialises in the psychology of bodt art- is he a Chav??

Neither I nor DH have any. I have to say (forgive me oh tatooed ones!) I think they look cheap and tacky.

We were in Greece on holiday last year at a hotel with lots of Brits and DH felt left out as he didn't have a shaved head or any tatoos. I felt left out as my boobs behave normally when I lie down but there were lots who stayed pointed upwards!

They are not representative of the population.

I would say that in the US, there is not so much of a correlation, and the folks you mentioned are heavily influenced by Hollywood.

I wonder how many Etonians have tattoos? I think it must be single figures.

BTW, saying there is a correlation doesn't mean it's a black and white thing. It just means more likely/less likely than average.

we don't have any. I associate them with thuggy football types if on men and with Argos-earring wearing flabby types if on women. Not classy.

FGS, Explosive. Don't try to pull that on me. I'm not here for a holiday. I've lived here for 6 years, married to a Scotsman, haven't seen much of anything else since I've been here, naturalised Brit.

I went out with two medical doctors who had them, and they were not 'influenced by Hollywood'. LOL! One was a Goth, another just liked them.

They could have taken on any Etonian any day and probably kicked the pants off them, especially in maths or sciences.

I've seen plenty of highly skilled and very wealthy people here with them.

What next, judging people because of the type of jewellry they wear?

Neither me nor DH have them. My brother does, as does my father.

Can't stand the thought of the pain of getting one, tbh.

Would like to explore Ewan McGregor's tattoos up close.

Sorry, Expat, I'm a bit of a pragmatist and I call things as I see them

I don't think I am saying anything outrageous by saying that there is a correlation between SEC and tattoos. Is it really that controversial.

And I know that you are totally sincere about living in the UK. I have known that for the last 4 or 5 years, including meeting you in person.

yes but expat - lots of very wealthy people in the Uk are also quite working class and chavtastic - eg footballers, most of whom sport ( ha, excuse pun) loads of vile tattoos.

Expat - working class people ARE more likely to have tattoos.
It's an undeniable fact.
But to mention this isn't necessarily a judgement, just an observation.

No, they are filmstars and thus exempt from rules which apply to the general population.

At our school there are two distinct groups; The normal, nice, friendly types, well spoken and generally well behaved children, most middle class, that is the majority. As far as I know (difficult to judge, even on those days the school pool was open to us all in the summer holiday) not many, if any with tatoos.
The second group, much much smaller, definately a minority, have tatoos aplenty on display, scantily clad, lots of bling, they swear at their children, and the children are mostly equally foul mouthed.

That for me puts tatoos in the chav/rough camp. Sorry

Exactly, JV

I also really dislike the way all Gangsta rappers are covered in tats - they are trying to look threatening and succeeding IMo.

oh jeremy I love you.

actually a correlation iirc means that the incidences rise (or whatever you are testing) together and does not in any way denote a causal link- that has to be tested using a staistical analysis such as a T test or whatever is appropriate to the study data

'The conventional dictum that "correlation does not imply causation" means that correlation cannot be validly used to infer a causal relationship between the variables. This dictum should not be taken to mean that correlations cannot indicate causal relations. However, the causes underlying the correlation, if any, may be indirect and unknown. Consequently, establishing a correlation between two variables is not a sufficient condition to establish a causal relationship (in either direction).

Here is a simple example: hot weather may cause both crime and ice-cream purchases. Therefore crime is correlated with ice-cream purchases. But crime does not cause ice-cream purchases and ice-cream purchases do not cause crime.'

i didn't realise ewan had so many tatts until DH made me watch 'Long Way Down'.

oh charlie boorman, for that matter, who is far finer than ewan - who is a bit runty and yucky.

so, returning to the OP - I would say that tattoos are only part of white working class sub culture. There is definitely nothing culturally highbrow about them.

An ex of mine who was a -idiot-- twat looser spur of the moment type got one with my name in it on his hip, a month into our relationship I wasn't impressed , it didn't last!

It still makes me chuckle, that he will always have that reminder on him

I don't want any, but some tatoos are nice on really fit men mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

a lot of gangsta types i knew went for brands, instead.

as they show up better on black skin.

in fact, if you get a chance to look at most black American football players' upper bicep, you may be able to see a brand in teh shape of a the Greek letter omega.

omega's are a black fraternity, and members will brand themselves as a mark of brotherhood.

no, i wouldn't say so, donnie.

isn't it more a rebellious young adult/teen thing?

OMG branding is just hideous IMO. Makes me think of Jews being branded before being carted off to Auschwitz.
Yes it is also a rebellion thing connected with youth - but you do see a lot of older people getting them done and IME it is invariably the working class and white , in the Uk anyway.

I think now a lot of public school types do have them including the girls..because it's possible just like it's possible to have ipods and a life after 30

but my brother has two!!

I agree with expat and wouldn't say they are 'chavy'. They have traditionally been popular among working classes in Britain, but that isn't the same as chavy is it?

Wheren't they were also a sign of rebellion until they became so popular recently, which wouldn't be class based would it?

They few people I know now with tatoos have one thing in common, they are what some might call 'alternative' types, maybe a bit arty, unconventional, bohemian (although this may be more a reflection on my choice of friends that anything else )